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Robot lawn mower - what is it, types of robotic lawn mowers, how to choose the right, useful tips
The development of new technologies is rapidly advancing, and yesterday's innovations are replaced by modern smart devices that perform their work for a person.
This equipment includes professional-class robotic lawnmowers. They made a worthy competition to the usual lawn mowers due to their capabilities. Robotic devices can independently draw up a site plan, outline a route and select a lawn treatment mode.
Consider how a robotic lawnmower is designed, what functions different models can handle, and what are the main criteria for choosing a garden mate.
Content
- Robot lawn mower butler on a personal plot video
- Device and technical features of robotic lawnmowers
- Operation principle and enclosure policy
- Comparative characteristics of models from various manufacturers
- Smart lawn mower recommendations
Robot lawn mower butler on a personal plot
Robot lawn mower differs from ordinary models of manual lawn mowers, first of all, by its independence. The name itself, the robot, suggests that the device is able to function autonomously, without constant commands. The robotic lawnmower can independently determine the start time and duration of work.
The owner of an intelligent lawn mower is required to initially set a work schedule and determine the boundaries of the treated area. This is enough for the machine to tidy up the lawn no worse than a professional gardener.
Lawn mowers work almost silently and imperceptibly. The only evidence of a butler on the plot is a neatly trimmed and well-groomed lawn.
The owner of the mower, if desired, can stop or redirect the mower at any time. Some models can be controlled directly from the base station, using the remote control or through open standards for data transfer (Bluetooth).
Observing the movement of the robotic lawnmower around the site, it seems that the device has vision and intelligence.
Device and technical features of robotic lawnmowers
The robotic lawnmower looks like an ordinary electric lawn mower. The device has a high-strength housing, is equipped with knives for cutting grass and moves in a wheeled way. The main difference is the lack of a handle for control.
In order to learn more about the capabilities of a smart machine, we will analyze its device in more detail.
The plastic case protects the internal components of the equipment from the negative effects of the environment, and also protects humans and animals from the possible contact of rotating knives. Inside the case there is a battery, an electric motor, work knives, all kinds of sensors.
The robotic lawnmower is equipped with a powerful, reliable and wear-resistant battery that can withstand multiple charging cycles. A high-quality lithium-ion battery guarantees battery life by energizing the device.
The design of the lawn mower provides for several electric motors at the same time. A separate engine controls the knives, others regulate the rotation of the wheels. Controllability to various engines provides good performance and equipment power.
Knives of different models of robotic lawnmowers can differ in shape and method of attachment. They are made in the form of plates, stars or sabers. Strong steel knives are cast. Rotating at high speed, the knives do an excellent job of mowing grass.
The lawnmower's brain is an integrated control system. The main part of the program was laid down by the manufacturer during manufacture, the rest is set by the owner at his discretion. Information about the settings is detailed in the operating instructions for the robotic lawnmower. The functionality of the robotic lawnmower will depend on the model chosen and the company of the manufacturer.
The owner of the device usually sets the following parameters:
- mowing height;
- lawnmower working hours;
- turning angle of the car in case of collision with an obstacle.
Autonomous lawn mowers are equipped with special sensors:
- grass sensors detect site boundaries;
- detection sensors for a cable laid underground do not allow the robot to move beyond restrictions;
- sensors that recognize the treated area of \u200b\u200bthe lawn;
- the rain sensor will stop the mower when the weather is bad (robots resistant to hail and showers do not install such a sensor).
The wheels of the robotic lawnmower have high lugs on the treads, which allows the car to move around the grass of any height and any soil moisture. The device can easily overcome indoor climbs and grass obstacles. Usually the driving wheels are the rear (large), and the front (small) are responsible for the maneuverability of the device.
There are four-wheel drive models in which all wheels do not turn and have the same size. Each drive wheel operates independently and is controlled by a separate motor. Wheels rotate at different speeds, this allows maneuvers.
The lawnmower’s battery can be charged from different power systems: the mains, a separate charging station. In some versions, solar panels are also built-in.
Most robotic lawnmowers independently determine the need for recharging and are connected independently to a charger (base station).
Household robotic lawnmowers designed for private use have the following technical characteristics (the range of values \u200b\u200bis determined by the model and manufacturer):
- mowing width 17-56 cm;
- lawn mowing height 20-76 cm;
- land area recommended for processing 400-3000 sq.m;
- battery life 45-360 minutes;
- the presence of a charging base;
- the cost of a robotic lawn mower (the price will depend on the type of battery, functionality, maximum mowing area) varies from 35,000 to 250,000 rubles;
- warranty period of service 1-3 years;
- the weight of the equipment is 6.5-20.0 kg.
Operation principle and enclosure policy
To work with almost any model of a robotic lawnmower, laying of a cable-limiter is required, which will determine the boundaries of grass mowing. One end of the cable should exit the base station of the robot, and the other should adjoin it, so that the circuit does not have a break. A special sensor monitors the proximity of the device to the cable and gives a signal to turn.
The cable comes complete with a lawn mower, it is usually green, and attached to the lawn with green studs, so it does not spoil the appearance of the lawn. Some manufacturers recommend laying such a cable in the ground (depth 2-3 cm). In addition to a special cable, such a robotic lawnmower is equipped with a tool (road wheel), which makes it easy to lay a limiter.
The wire should go around flower beds, ponds, paths from rubble (knives from cones and stones can deteriorate). If there is a smooth track on the site, then it can be not fenced.
If the personal plot is too overloaded, then it is unlikely to correctly lay the cable. In this case, it is better to use a regular hand-held lawn mower.
On a lawn with several areas for mowing, it is advisable to provide passage for the robot (minimum width 1.2 meters), and lay a cable along the path. If the wires from the kit are not enough, you can use a copper single-core cable.
Additional limiters include grass sensors and obstacles. An obstacle sensor helps to respond to any unplanned obstacle with a height of more than 10 cm. After receiving information about an approaching obstacle, the mower stops and moves back at a different angle. If the plot of the lawn has at least a small fence around the perimeter, then the obstacle sensor can very well be used to determine the boundaries of the treated area (without laying the cable).
The moving vector of a lawn mower, whose operation is based on a grass sensor, changes when the robot meets a surface without grass (track, trampled area). This sensor is better used as an addition to the main limiter (cable) for a more efficient mowing of the lawn (the mowed section of the lawn mower will bypass).
Lawnmower operation modes are different. Some models move randomly, others in a zigzag, and others in a spiral. It is necessary to choose a mode, taking into account the shape of the site.
Comparative characteristics of models from various manufacturers
The most popular robotic lawnmowers on the Russian market are manufacturers: Robomow, Bosch and Husqvarna.
Robot lawn mowers manufacturer Robomow
Robomow robotic lawnmowers (Frandly Robotics) are made in Israel and have a wide range. Conventionally, their range can be divided into three groups depending on the mowing area:
- Robots designed for gardens up to 400 sq.m. have such characteristics:
- mowing width 28 cm;
- mowing height 15-60 cm;
- lawn mower weight 10 kg;
- average battery life of 50 minutes;
- price 35000-52000 rubles;
- 2 year warranty.
- Characteristics of equipment designed for a garden up to 2000 sq.m:
- mowing width 28-56 cm;
- mowing height up to 80 cm;
- weight about 20 kg;
- working time 55 minutes;
- 1 year warranty;
- the price is 59000-79000 rubles.
- Lawn mowing robots for large areas (up to 3000 sq.m):
- mowing width 56 cm;
- number of areas to be cropped 4;
- mowing time 70 minutes;
- engine power 400W;
- bias to 20 degrees;
- 2 year warranty;
- the price is about 115,000 rubles.
All Robomow robotic lawnmowers have a lithium iron phosphate battery, rechargeable base, edge mowing mode, rain sensor, snap-on knives (when the machine is turned over) and low noise level in working condition.
Bosch Lawn Mowers
Bosch’s range of autonomous lawnmowers is more modest than Robomow’s. Special attention should be paid to the Indego lawn mower, which can cut the lawn both in parallel paths and with a change in direction. The robotic lawnmower is equipped with an alarm and has a protective pin code for greater security.
The Bosch Indego robotic lawnmower has the following performance characteristics:
- it is calculated on the area of \u200b\u200ba site to 1000 sq.m;
- haircut width 26 cm;
- cutting height 20-60 mm;
- battery life 50 minutes;
- type of battery lithium-ion;
- the cutting system consists of 3 knives;
- weight 11.1 kg;
- maximum lift 35%.
In addition, the robotic lawnmower is equipped with automatic charging and quick-stop knives.
Husqvarna robotic lawn mowers
The Swedish industrial company Husqvarna has reliably established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality equipment and accessories for working in the garden and garden. They produce robotic lawn mowers for caring for plots of various sizes (maximum mowing area of \u200b\u200b6000 square meters).
The entire range of Husqvarna robotic lawnmowers combines these features:
- silent operation;
- sharp knives mounted on the blade system;
- automatic recharging;
- anti-theft protection: alarm and PIN lock;
- work on uneven areas with a slope angle of up to 35%;
- blocking the operation of knives when turning and lifting the lawn mower;
- cutting height (20-60 cm).
Models differ in the following parameters:
- mowing period (45-80 minutes);
- haircut width (17-32 cm);
- device weight (6.7-13.5 kg);
- price (62000 240000 rubles).
You can install the mower yourself or use the services of an authorized dealer.
Smart lawn mower recommendations
All the main parameters of the robotic lawnmower must be repelled from the main par value of the plot size. You should not overpay, and buy a more powerful lawn mower for a compact site, and even more so you do not need to try to save money by purchasing a device designed for mowing 500 sq.m for a plot of 1000 sq.m.
In addition, you should pay attention to such criteria:
- The power of the unit affects the quality and speed of mowing. The higher this indicator, the better the performance of the mower.
- The mowing width is usually selected according to the principle: the larger the plot, the greater the mower's width. However, one must take into account the maneuverability of the robot along narrow paths on the lawn.
- Deck construction (plate on which the knives are fixed). It is better to choose models with floating knives that, when hitting a branch or stone, fold and protect the motor from overload.
- The presence in the set of the base charging station to ensure the operation of the lawn mower at any time.
- Additional functions (mowing the edges, rain sensor, alarm, high grass sensor) allow you to achieve perfect mowing.
- Manufacturer's warranty and the availability of service centers in the city. If it is necessary to carry out repairs or to assist with installation, you will have to turn to highly qualified specialists, because the robotic lawnmower is an aggregate of increased technical complexity.
You can choose and buy a robotic lawnmower in specialized company stores, and you can familiarize yourself with its main characteristics on the manufacturer's official website.